U.S. rig count drops 10; La. up 4

U.S. rig count drops 10; La. up 4

HOUSTON — Oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. says the number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. dropped by 10 this week to 1,738.

The Houston-based company said in its weekly report Friday that 1,357 rigs were exploring for oil and 375 for gas. Six were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago, there were 1,979 rigs.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Oklahoma lost 13 rigs, Pennsylvania dropped six, West Virginia lost two and North Dakota decreased by one. Louisiana gained four rigs, Texas and Wyoming each added two and New Mexico and Colorado each increased by one. Alaska, Arkansas and California remained unchanged.